Beckham says he’s about half ready
David Beckham put in some honest-to-goodness work Tuesday, actually practicing with the Galaxy for the first time and promising to play at least one half of tonight’s game against D.C. United in soccer’s SuperLiga semifinal at the Home Depot Center.
That was good news for the Galaxy, which has struggled all season and desperately needs the on-field leadership, the confidence and the composure that the former England national team captain can bring.
“I need to get back playing,” Beckham said. “It’s very frustrating not being able to get on the field. Tomorrow’s a big chance to get some minutes.
“We haven’t had the right results so far this season. We need to change that and we need to change it in the game tomorrow.”
There is a possibility that Beckham, whose left ankle injury has limited him to only two brief appearances with the Galaxy, could start, but the final decision will not come until game time.
Beckham said his ankle, injured while playing for England and Real Madrid this summer, felt “about 70% or 80%” normal.
“I think the only 20% or 30% that’s missing is the strength in the ankle,” he said. “This is my first day training, so it still feels unstable to a certain extent, but it feels stable enough to actually play in a game and see how far I can take it.
“I should definitely be able to play half a game” tonight.
Beckham has played only 37 minutes for the Galaxy since joining the team on a $6.5-million-a-year contract in July.
Galaxy Coach Frank Yallop appeared visibly relieved that Beckham believes he is ready to contribute more.
“Sometimes it’s easier to start. Sometimes it may be a little bit easier to come into the game when it’s settled down a little bit,” Yallop said. “I want him to start the game, but we’ve got to be on the same wavelength.
“It’s great that he’s available now. It’s a first step for us and for him. We’ll make the right decision.”
Beckham freely answered questions for half an hour at the Home Depot Center on Tuesday, talking about how he and his family have settled into life in Los Angeles -- “living-wise, it’s been perfect from day one” -- but the primary focus was on his long-awaited return to the playing field.
The Galaxy has skidded to a 3-7-5 mark at the halfway point of the Major League Soccer season, but Beckham has faith that things can be turned around.
“The team has got confidence in its ability,” he said. “We need to take that out onto the pitch. We’re finishing and scoring goals in training. We’ve just got to take that into games.
“I don’t think that we’ve played to our full potential. In [some] games we’ve played well and ended up losing, but in other games we’ve played terrible and definitely not deserved to win.”
Depending on how his ankle holds up tonight, Beckham expects to travel with the Galaxy to New Jersey on Thursday and to play against the New York Red Bulls at Giants Stadium on Saturday.
Meanwhile, England Coach Steve McLaren on Friday will name his squad for England’s Aug. 22 game against Germany in London.
Beckham said that if he is included and if his ankle feels well enough, he will fly to England on Sunday, returning in time for the Galaxy’s game against Chivas USA on Aug. 23.
GALAXY TONIGHT
SuperLiga semifinal
vs D.C. United, 7 p.m., TeleFutura
Site -- Home Depot Center.
Radio -- 1330 (Spanish).
SuperLiga records -- Galaxy 2-1-0; D.C. United 1-1-1.
Record vs D.C. United (in MLS play) -- 0-1-1.
Update -- Galaxy defender Ante Jazic, midfielder Kelly Gray and forward Alan Gordon are suspended. Defender Abel Xavier and midfielder Cobi Jones could return from injury.
